24 Hours of Le Mans doesn't interest Red Bull

Red Bull will not be taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race anytime soon, according to head of junior driver programme Dr Helmut Marko. The energy drinks company has spread itself across the sporting world, expanding the brand to make it one of the most recognisable names in the marketing industry.

With so much success in Formula 1, Marko was asked if they would ever consider a move to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most prestigious endurance race.

"No," he declared. "We are concentrated on Formula 1. If you look at it, the costs are very high for the championship, but there's only one race that matters or is covered," he told Spain's El Confidencial.

Red Bull has struggled so far in 2017, a season in which they were predicted to return to their best due to the aerodynamic alterations. However, they look even further behind Mercedes and Ferrari and has a lot of work to do to catch up, something Marko doesn't think is impossible.

"No," he said when asked if Red Bull had lost all hope of a title this season, "otherwise we would not be making the effort that we are. But this power unit in Formula 1 is not a normal engine," Marko continued. "So if your combustion system is better, the electrical part is better.

"After the first four races Ferrari seemed like the big favourite, but it seems that in Barcelona Mercedes took a big leap with the engine. You change the engine and 'bang!', you take a big leap again," he said.

Fergal Walsh